Brightest Star Ch. 2
Pippin ran to the top of his hill just as the noon-day sun reached its peak in the sky overhead. He reced the wind for a chance to behold his Hobbit-flower Azaelia as she walked the dirt path on the other side. He reached the crest of the gloriously green grass and smiled as the fair breeze stopped before his back, as if it only followed his whims.
Staring far, his eyes sought Azaelia's face under the white bonnet she wore, and his smile beamed when he witnessed her laugh at some unheard joke her sister told as she walked alongside with her flower basket. Azaelia's mother, Lily, was not too far ahead of them, leading their milk cow to the lush Tookland common. She looked over her shoulder often, checking up on her overly playful daughters as they casually picked flowers from the edge of the path together.
His face squirmed as Pippin attempted to extract a plan of attack from his mischievous mind. It would be difficult to sneak up and have a private moment with his love without alerting Azaelia's sister or mother to his presence... something he wanted to keep secret for the time being, if only for the romantic mystery.
Just as he was going to sneak down the hill and hide in some bushes to get closer to them, the cow had wandered off the path a little ways, having found a patch of alfalfa to munch on. Lily and her younger daughter were then quickly and conveniently occupied with leading the old heifer back on the little road, leaving Azaelia to pick flowers on her own for a bit.
The breeze then picked up on its own, daring Pippin to beat it to her, and in a frenzy he sprinted down the hill toward her, wanting only himself to have the pleasure of embracing his favorite Hobbit.
As he lost altitude, his big feet sped up to a frantic pace to keep him from rolling head over heels to meet his love. He came right up to the path and he tried to slow down, but a tree root came out of nowhere...
Azaelia softly sang a song to herself while she arranged her flowers neatly in the basket she carried. She set it down and bent to grab a pair of yellow mums. She sniffed them lovingly and picked some more just as she heard a loud whoosh! fly past her.
Startled by this sudden pick-up in wind speed, she whipped her head toward the sound and noticed the tall grass next to her rustle on its own. Her green eyes widened at the sight, and she was a second from running away before a shock of curly hair appeared at the top of the grass, making its way toward her until the Hobbit it belonged to revealed himself at last.
Her eyes only widened even more. she yelled, then quickly stifling her voice, Are you hurt? What happened?
Pippin's smile was even more adorable in the daylight. I saw you- I was at the top- I tried not to- he gasped, still catching his breath.
Pippin, not so loud! she hissed, glancing over her shoulder at her mother still fighting with the cow. She grabbed him and covered his mouth, ducking back into the grass he crashed into. She fell right on top of him, but he did not seem to mind the discomfort.
Oh, a feisty lass you are! he said, pulling her hand off his face, I had no idea I'd be this lucky-
she said, covering his mouth again, My mum can't know about us!
Why not? he whispered.
Because she's conservative, Pip, like most Hobbits are, she said, her eyes still wide with concern, She'll think me a homewrecker if she sees me canoodling with you.
Pippin sat up and watched Azaelia peek out of the grass nervously. He tugged at her dress to get her attention.
You honestly think last night was just canoodling? he asked, innocently disappointed in her definition.
She looked back to him with confusion.
I thought I did a lot better than that. It was some serious petting, some of my best to be honest-
Whatever, Pip, she quipped before inspecting the path outside their nest.
Pippin grinned lustily at his new discovery. Wow, you must really like it rough, Azaelia. There's going to be a lot of broken hearts out there soon, I'm sure-
She turned and pinched his face between her thumb and finger, instantly pulling his blabber-mouth to her lips, kissing him for as long as she judged was necessary to sweep him off his feet... and shut him up for longer than a five seconds.
You're in for a ride, Peregrin Took, she said with a wink, Now why don't you make yourself useful and tell Daisy the good news. Mum is bound to find out I'm gone any second now.
Don't tell me you've forgotten about her already! I don't wish to wait much longer to be with you Pippin-
Don't worry, don't worry, he laughed, slinging his scarf around her neck and pulling her close to his face. Seeing her fair face rimmed with such autumn-red curls reminded him of why he should be so hasty in informing Daisy of the new arrangement. Tis the first thing on my list today, Lia.
Azaelia smiled and kissed him again, but she jumped at the sound of her mother calling her name. She slipped off his scarf and handed it back to him.
Got to go now, yes, Pippin whispered with a warm smile, I'll come by later. After I've talked with Daisy.
she said with one last kiss on his cheek, Buh-bye, Pip. And with that sign of parting she hopped out of grass and back on the path, picking up her basket and skipping toward her sister.
Where's that girl gone to Basil? Lily asked her daughter, only to get her answer a few seconds later. Where've you been, young one?
Looking for more flowers in the grass, Azaelia replied.
Doesn't look like you've had much luck, Lily said, pointing at Azaelia's empty basket.
Azaelia nearly gasped at the realization. Oh I- I didn't much care for the ones I found so I- got rid of them all. Yes, I- I only want the very best ones from the other hill.
Lily gave her a stern look of wonderment. Hmmph. Whatever blows your skirt up, dear, she said cheekily as she began walking down the lane again, Basil still in tow.
Azaelia took a deep breath and followed them. She glanced behind her to see Pippin standing pole-stiff in the middle of the path, cheerily grinning at her. A moment later, he took his hands out from behind him to reveal an oversized bouquet of wildflowers. He sniffed them and winked before he turned around and walked the other way.
You're too much, Pippin, she whispered, shaking her head with a smile.
As Pippin made his way out of earshot, he smirked and said, Saves me a trip to Sam's garden.
